This question was recently brought to my attention by a preacher friend. The Apostle Paul asks the above question in 1 Corinthians 9:9. I had never really given this question much thought. I usually thought, “well of course he does, he feeds the sparrows.” Is that the right answer? Does he take care of the oxen? What is the right answer? Let us take a look at the verses through the entire chapter.

Verse 6“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”

Verse 7“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”

Verse 10 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

Verse 13 “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?”

Verse 14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

God has charged his churches to take care of the oxen. Sparrows are wild animals and do not have to be fed, oxen are domesticated and have to be fed by the field from which they labor. That is not making carnal things the motivation for preaching. Paul goes on to state that there is grief upon him if he does not preach the gospel. He preached because God laid it on his heart to preach. He preaches because it is a necessity that is laid upon him.Nevertheless, God still commands his children to “take care” of their pastors.

Every church member should ask themselves a few simple questions;

“Am I taking care of my pastor?”

“Do I pray for him?”

“Am I living the high life while my pastor has a secular job and is also trying his best to pastor my church?”